Learning is not a linear process. We are free to learn through the exploration of a field of knowledge and subjects and dive in deeper where we feel most called to do so. In addition, we are reminded that real learning is not about quick and temporary memorization or regurgitating a story back to its source, but rather about absorbing, processing, improving, and then applying real life information and data to reduce the amount of waste that we create as humans. Lastly, what stood out from last weeks lecture for me is that we, as Global Sustainability students, are not only creating content for our university, but for a much broader audience of anyone who may be interested and willing to help fight the war against garbage and waste. This resonates with me because I care about this issues deeply and want to make real change wherever I can.
I am somewhat impatient and tend to view the world through a very realistic (some would say pessimistic) lens. One personal difficulty I have is that books, conversations and studies related to this topic seem to all begin by painting a very grim and hopeless view of the world, which spikes my anxiety, produces a crippling fear, and lingers on my mind. Because of this, I decided to start at the end, specifically the end of the book The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard since the cover of the book had a silver lining “...our obsession with stuff is trashing the planet, our communities, and our health—and a vision for a change”.
A vision?
What could that be?
Hope? Oh, please...
I flipped to the end of the hardcover book and searched for a vision for change in an attempt to spare my overwhelmed and apparently delicate soul. I needed to focus on solutions.
Through other textbooks related to economic and global issues, I have come to have negative feelings associated with the term “economy”. To be honest I just feel that it is a reflection of money, power and exponential growth. Our measurements of success are things that actually are unhealthy, unsustainable and do not bring happiness or peace. Annie Leonard begins by explaining that gross domestic product (GDP) is not really an accurate measure of how well a country is doing, especially if well being is in any way related to sustainability! Why can we not see how many people, resources, and creatures could fall through the cracks on a system that measures well being based on gross domestic product? Much to my relief, the author offers some alternatives here, including the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare, the United Nations Human Development Index, or even the Happy Planet Index.
How do we move from our current measurement of GDP to an alternative that considers other areas of wellness? Many community leaders are often lost when it comes to defining environmental, economic, and social objectives and clear ways to measure progress towards those goals. How wonderful would it be to be part of that process? As someone who is learning the art of global sustainability (both through formal education and the informality of real-life), I am humbled and proud at the same time to think that I could help fill that need in the world. This is something at the core of my existence that I feel is so important it is worth dedicating my life to. Maybe this is why focusing on actual solutions means so much to me. Maybe this is why sustainable solutions for clean energy make me so happy and why bringing the process of waste full circle or remodeling our human behavior after Mother Nature is so exciting and hopeful to me. When sustainable solutions become financially viable for large industries we will see them change very fast. I would like to be part of the process to make those options viable—to make the sustainable option the door that we can’t afford not to walk through.
The next point that Lenard makes in her book The Story of Stuff, is that if we cut back on the amount of money that we spend on wars we would have more money for schools, healthcare and other social needs. In some of the final pages of The Story of Stuff, she breaks down the amount of money used for military spending and clearly shows that there is plenty of it but argues that we are putting it in the wrong places. Interestingly, she adds that the country of Costa Rica is one of the top ranking countries on the Happy Planet Index and they abolished their military in 1949. Since then, they have used those funds to promote social welfare with in the country. I have lived in Costa Rica and can say firsthand that it is a very environmentally friendly, peaceful, happy little country and I never felt threatened without a military. Even so, cutting military funding is not as hopeful or realistic to me because I feel the fear embedded in the American culture whenever I am here in the United States. Many Americans believe that we need a military (and maybe rightfully so because of the way we have/do behave as a country). There is so much change that would need to come about because, as Gandhi put it, "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." We have a lot of work ahead of us on this one. Nevertheless, it is never too late to start.
Another fascinating argument for change has to do with the Free Market. According to most economists, the Free Market will adjust prices to an optimal balance, but Leonard asks the question “who is that price really optimal for?” Why do we not consider the price of air, water or soil—elements vital to our existence? What about the price of public health or the lives lost in the international conflicts fueled by a global shortage of nonrenewable environmental resources? Leonard suggest that we start by internalizing our externalities by bringing production to a local process that is respectful of our planet. Could this be a solution?
As I consider how this information relates to my life, I am mentally flooded with ideas and experiences. There is no shortage of correlations to how I live and aspire to live. Many years ago, I watched a documentary called Happy. The conclusion of the documentary was that we have it all wrong. The happiest and most peaceful people on the planet are the ones who have some money but not too much. They are the ones with basic needs are met and time for family and socializing, not the millionaires, rock stars, Hollywood actors, or your neighbor’s friend’s cousin’s brother who won the lottery. Statistically that type of excessive wealth actually brings depression, mental illness and an increased rate of suicide.
Personally, I have been blessed to learn that lesson at a young age through jobs that paid very well but felt completely empty. I was also able to work in Humanitarian Aid and Community Development for years with just enough income to meet my basic needs. I did not have enough money for a decent vehicle, a nice place or any extras. While living abroad, I took public transportation, wore the same pair of ugly shoes repeatedly and used cell phone that was so basic and cheap I did not have to worry about it being stolen. Those some of the most meaningful, happy, peaceful and healthy years of my life.
Just go and travel and do not think of reasons why you might fail. I packed my suitcase for Honduras amidst whispers of 'how dangerous'....'chickens on the buses'....'murder capital of the western hemisphere'. I left anyway and I have never regretted it. It led me to many more adventures and a different way of seeing the world and how we live in it. One of many lessons: being stuck on a broke-down chicken bus in never-ending banana fields with moms with crying children and men peeing in empty beer bottles really did not feel any worse than one single day at the corporate job I had just left.
People are people wherever we go and we all want the same basic things: health, family, peace, stability, love... I began to see a society based solely on profit as a failing one. We are focusing on the wrong variable here. Sometimes I lay in bed at night and reflect on the day before. The things that I am most proud of are the things that will be good for this planet long after I leave it, like planting a tree with my daughter. That feeling is my compass, my north star, my shining light in the disorienting darkness. If I can keep doing those things then I will continue to experience a happiness far beyond anything the lottery could ever comprehend.
